McCartney signs to Starbucks label

Paul McCartney has been unveiled in the US as the first artist to sign up to Starbucks' new record label.

The former Beatle made an appearance via a video feed from London, at the company's annual meeting.

The world's largest speciality coffee retailer announced earlier this month that it was entering into a partnership with Concord Music Group to launch the Los Angeles-based Hear Music label.

The McCartney announcement is another big step for Seattle-based Starbucks' attempts to spin part of its consumer appeal into the entertainment business. The group has already produced and sold a range of albums, and helped to develop a feature-length film.

Hear Music has been used as a brand on other releases developed for sale in Starbucks stores.

The coffee giant also has a branded page on Apple's iTunes digital music store, and a handful of hybrid music-and-coffee stores that allow customers to burn tracks to CDs.